It was great to welcome the students back after their half term break, the students have made such a positive start to the last half term of the year!
Before we get on to our wonderful students and their achievements, an update about staffing. As a Head it is always a nervous time leading up to the summer half term, it is where most of the recruitment is done for next year. After a succession of successful recruitment days, we are pleased to say we are going into next year in a strong position: for the first time in a while we have a full quota of permanent teaching staff. We know this will have a positive impact on students as we move into next year.
Before half term Ms. Fleming and Ms. Berry took some of our students down to Staveley Court. Throughout the day our students entertained the local residents with dance, drama routines and playing board games. Thank you to all the staff and students involved.
We currently have 12 Year 10 students battling tough conditions in Ullswater on a residential trip. As always is the case on residential trips, resilience is needed in abundance with the types of activities and exposure to the elements. The Year 10 students have stood up to this task with flying colours in some typical Lakes weather conditions; they have walked peaks, scrambled ghylls and stayed in remote locations and much more. Thank you to Mr Bentham and Miss Childs for leading this trip.
Another half-term done for the Year 7’s and again they have been amazing. The year group go from strength to strength with their work ethic, attendance and attitude to lessons. We are also going to start our Cycle 3 exams, this is a great opportunity for the students to show what they have learnt over the past year and hopefully get some amazing results. Keep working hard Year 7!
It has been lovely to see year 8 after half term. By Wednesday they had picked up over 700 golden tickets. We’ve had lots of learning beyond the classroom too, with two from our year group competing in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Strictly had better watch out! As you will already know we’re having a big push on improving the start to the school day. Please remind your children about wearing perfect uniform and being equipped for success. It does make a huge difference in the morning when everybody is ready to go.
A massive well done and congratulations to Sam B who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Despite changing weather, he was successful. We are all proud of his commitment and hard work. His family are all very proud and have sent this message:
On Sunday 1st June Samuel along with his mum and members of Trax gym Haworth took on the Yorkshire 3 peaks walk to raise money for Haworth primary school and the church. We set off from Horton in Ribblesdale at 6.30 am and made it to the top of Penyghent before 8am in glorious sunshine but gale force wind. We then headed for Whernside where the weather became awful getting to the top in wind rain and freezing temperatures, but we continued. We made it the to the top of Ingleborough in thick fog and even more gales nearly one hour ahead of schedule with Samuel wanting to race to the top. We got back to the car 11.5 hours after setting off, 25 miles and over 6000 feet of climbing and he still wanted a race back to the car. His rucksack of snacks, and true grit and determination got him round with not much moaning and said he would do it again. Well done, Samuel.
Our remarkable student leaders have also been hard at work, creating informative and engaging display boards for their year group areas. These displays offer helpful reminders, tips, and encouragement for their peers, especially timely with the upcoming trial exams. It’s been brilliant to see the pride and effort they’ve put into making their school environment both supportive and inspiring.
Speaking of exams, we also held an assembly to help prepare students for their upcoming trial exams, which begin in just two weeks’ time. We know this can be a stressful period, but we’re proud of the maturity and focus shown by our students as they begin revising and planning.
Congratulations to Yvie: who won Bradford’s Young Sportswoman of the Year (Under 18’s) award, in the same academic year as achieving a double European championship medal last October. This is a wonderful achievement, we are all so proud of her determination to succeed – well done Yvie!
Finally, a very special mention must go to Jess S, who along with Henry W (Y9) and Lexie W (Y8) is fundraising for a trip to Peru. She has now helped raise over £10,000 for charity, an incredible achievement. Well done, Jess!
If you would like to support these three enterprising students consider attending Eid on the Green Saturday 14th June and Riddlesden Gala which will host fundraising stalls at each event.
Our final half-term is filled with new experiences for the year group, more chances to demonstrate their leadership skills, opportunities to reflect on careers they may be interested in and a chance to experience a formal exam timetable to prepare them for their final exams in year 11. Attendance is key to success and there will be further opportunities for attendance rewards this half- term, please continue to encourage your child to aim for 100% attendance to receive a reward.
The end of exams is now in sight and Year 11 are continuing to work incredibly hard. We are so proud of how they are buckling down and I have every confidence they will be successful. This week marks the end of timetabled lessons and from this point on students are only required to attend school for their exams. There will be a space available in school for students to study if they so wish. Finally, please don’t forget there is a leaver’s assembly on the 17th of June following the final Spanish exam.
📣 Exciting News! Sixth Form are now on Instagram! 🎉
Stay up to date with all the latest news, events, and achievements from Oakbank Sixth Form by following us at @oakbank_sixthform.
👉 Don’t miss out—follow us today and be part of our journey!
📢 Year 12 Work Experience Alert!
Next week, our Year 12 students will be heading out on their work experience placements! 🙌
We wish them the very best of luck as they take this exciting step into the world of work. We hope it’s a valuable experience full of learning, growth, and inspiration! 💼✨
